Follow ISAC (Illinois Student Assistance Commission) for student financial aid tips, #grant & #scholarship news and going to #college updates.
Chicago, IL
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Financial Aid Administrators: Be sure to mark your calendars for the following Illinois Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (@ILASFAA) events.
2026 Fall Workshop for Financial Aid Advisors
o Friday, Nov. 13, 2026 – Elgin Community College
o Monday, Nov. 16, 2026 – Rend Lake Community College
Mark your calendars for the 2027 ILASFAA Annual Conference, "Cruising Through Turbulent Waters," taking place March 15-17, 2027 at the Westin Chicago Lombard.
ALT ILASFAA, Illinois Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, Serving Illinois Students Since 1969
School Counselors & Administrators: Join us on one of these dates to get an informative overview of Illinois’ One Click College Admit (OCCA) initiative, which streamlines postsecondary access by providing direct admission into participating state public universities and community colleges based on high school GPA.. The session will cover essential updates for supporting seniors, juniors, and community college transfer students, including a breakdown of how seniors interact with direct admission offers in the Common App.
The webinar is free, but advance registration is required. Professional Development and Continuing Education hours will be available. Visit bit.ly/3tDfRvV to learn more and to register.
#ProfessionalDevelopment #OneClickCollegeAdmit
ALT The image is a banner for the "One Click College Admit – Updates Webinar" with dates and times listed for October to December 2026. The event is hosted by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC).
Mark your calendars! ISAC's Monthly Operational Update and Program News webinars for Financial Aid Administrators are happening on Oct. 28, Nov. 18, and Dec. 16 at 2 pm. No registration needed. Get the link and materials on the day of each session at bit.ly/2B50S2H.
ALT WEBINAR
School Counselors & Administrators: Join us for our webinar to review the four most challenging areas of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): federal and state aid eligibility, dependency, parental information, and financial information in an interactive setting using scenarios and real-life examples. The FAFSA is the form used to apply for most federal and state and many institutional financial aid programs, including the Federal Pell Grant and the Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP) grant.
The webinar is free, but advance registration is required. Find out more and register at bit.ly/3tDfRvV
ALT A Scenario-Based Approach to Financial Aid Webinar Wednesday, October 28, 10:00 - 11:30 am (CT). Hosted by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC).
Happy Financial Aid Day! Today, we celebrate the contributions of financial aid professionals across the United States who help students make their college-going dreams a reality. Thank you for all that you do to support students and help them accomplish their academic goals!
@nasfaa #FinancialAidDay
ALT The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) logo is centered on a colorful background with confetti. A speech bubble at the top left says "Happy Financial Aid Day!" and another at the bottom right reads "Love, The Illinois Student Assistance Commission.
High School & College Counselors & School Administrators: The ISAC Transcript Exchange, through Parchment, allows students to request the secure electronic transfer of their transcripts and other credentials to the college(s) of their choice, the Common App, and other organizations requesting transcripts at no cost to students or high schools.
Join us on Tuesday, October 27, from 10:00 am to 10:45 am (CT) to learn about the ISAC Transcript Exchange, how to navigate the student and administrator dashboards, and gain efficiencies by switching from paper to electronic transcripts. Attendees will hear directly from professionals on how the ISAC Transcript Exchange can make a difference at your school. A Parchment Account Executive will provide an overview and be available to answer questions.
The webinar is free, but registration is required. Visit bit.ly/3tDfRvV to learn more and register.
ALT The ISAC Transcript Exchange Parchment Preview Webinar is scheduled for Tuesday, October 27 from 10:00 to 10:45 AM (CT).
During ISAC's Education Matters Fall Campaign (formerly, the College Changes Everything® Fall Campaign), ISAC partners with high schools and communities across the state to offer an intensive schedule of FREE workshops through Thanksgiving to help students complete their college and financial aid applications. Check out workshops in your community and other resources to help you explore your path to education after high school.
School Counselors: Sign up for the Education Matters campaign and get a downloadable campaign toolkit, materials, swag, and event support from ISAC as you help students and families with college planning and financial aid. Learn more: bit.ly/4rSwNZu
#EducationMattersIllinois #collegeplanning #studentaid
ALT Education Matters Illinois
There's still time to register for the First Gen Symposium! The symposium will be held on Thursday, November 5, 2026 from 8:00 am - 2:30 pm at Waubonsee Community College. This event brings together educators, counselors, community-based organizations, college-access professionals, and others dedicated to supporting first-generation students on their educational journey.
Because space is limited, full capacity may be reached before October 30. Registration is $25 and includes a continental breakfast and lunch. Advance registration is required, walk-in registration will not be available. Visit isac.org/pd/First-Gen-Sympos… for more information and to register. We hope to see you there!
#ISACFirstGenSymposium
ALT First Gen Symposium, Thursday, November 5, 2026
ISAC is pleased to announce the 2026-27 Financial Aid Application Completion Recognition of Excellence Honorees. This year, 539 Illinois public and private high schools were honored for outstanding financial aid application completion, almost a 15 percent increase from last year. Congratulations to all the honorees for this remarkable accomplishment! Learn more: bit.ly/4jLuCVk
#RecognitionofExcellence
ALT Recognition of Excellence: Financial Aid Application Completion
School Counselors & Administrators: Prepare for the 2027–28 financial aid cycle with this half-day training on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) and the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid offered by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC).
This training will cover important updates to the FAFSA form. Attendees will also learn about key state initiatives as well as federal changes that could impact students and families. By the end of the session, participants should have the knowledge and resources needed to guide students through the financial aid process.
The training session is free to attend, but advance registration is required. Registration will close on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, or when full capacity is reached. Attendees can earn Professional Development (PD) and Continuing Education (CE) credits. Register for the session at bit.ly/3tDfRvV
ALT Join us for our in-person training: "Overview of Financial Aid Applications & Program Updates" Thursday, October 22, from 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at Carl Sandburg College, Building C, Hosted by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC)
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is used to help determine your eligibility for federal, state, and some institutional student financial aid. If you are planning on attending college or trade school between July 1, 2027 and June 30, 2028, file your 2027-28 FAFSA form, at FAFSA.gov.
You and your parents will each need to create your own Studentaid.gov account to complete the FAFSA. If you don’t already have one, create your Studentaid.gov account now.
Need help completing your financial aid application? Connect with your local #ISACorps member for free assistance at isac.org/booking.
#FAFSA #studentaid #highered #moneyforcollege
ALT The 2027-28 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form
School Counselors & Administrators: Join us for an update on financial aid completion in the State of Illinois and for an overview of the Financial Aid Application Completion Initiative which provides high schools with information to identify and assist their students who have not completed a financial aid application. Learn how to view your Class of 2026-2027 financial aid application completion data, opt-out form submissions, and tips for troubleshooting common issues.
The webinar is free, but advance registration is required. Learn more and register at bit.ly/3tDfRvV.
ALT The Financial Aid Application Completion Initiative Webinar, Wednesday, October 21, 1:00 – 2:00 pm (CT)." Hosted by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC).
Join ISAC for a virtual author event on Wednesday, October 14 from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. with Franciene Sabens, M.S. Ed., LPC, NCC as she discusses the new book she co-authored, "A Survival Guide for Rural School Counselors and Solo Practitioners: Practical Strategies Aligned to Professional Standards, Survival Tactics, Tools, Preventive Measures, and Stories from the Field."
In her latest book, Sabens addresses the challenges, responsibilities, and impact of rural school counselors while delivering practical strategies to help navigate these complexities. Written by rural school counselors for school counselors, the book delivers firsthand stories, best practices, and unique insights based on real-life experiences in the field. Sabens is a nationally recognized school counselor and author, and two-time recipient of the Illinois High School Counselor of the year award.
This is an important book for new and seasoned counselors in rural settings that offers solutions, strategies, and creative approaches to implementing and sustaining comprehensive and impactful school counseling programs.
Space is limited, and registration is required. Register today to secure your spot, bit.ly/4yKrdes. Program participants are eligible to receive continuing education (CE) and professional development (PD) hours at the rate of one per contact hour.
ALT Join ISAC for a virtual author event on Wednesday, October 14, from 2:00-3:00 pm with Franciene Sabens, M.S.Ed., LPC, NCC, as she discusses her new book.
School Counselors & Administrators: Prepare for the 2027–28 financial aid cycle with this half-day training on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) and the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid offered by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC).
This training will cover important updates to the FAFSA form. Attendees will also learn about key state initiatives as well as federal changes that could impact students and families. By the end of the session, participants should have the knowledge and resources needed to guide students through the financial aid process.
The training session is free to attend, but advance registration is required. Registration will close on Monday, October 19, 2026, or when full capacity is reached. Attendees can earn Professional Development (PD) and Continuing Education (CE) credits. Find out more and register at bit.ly/3tDfRvV
ALT Join us for our in-person training: "Overview of Financial Aid Applications & Program Updates" Tuesday, October 20, 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at Parkland College - Main Campus, U-Wing Hosted by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC).
On Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we celebrate the cultures, histories, and ongoing contributions of Indigenous Peoples in the United States. Northern Illinois has been home to a variety of nations, including the Ho-Chunk, Sauk and Fox, Kickapoo, and Potawatomi, and Chicago today is the third-largest urban Native American population in the country.
In observance of the holidays, ISAC offices will be closed on Monday, Oct. 12. We will resume regular business hours Tuesday, Oct. 13 at 8:00 am.
School Counselors & Administrators: Join us on one of these dates to get an informative overview of Illinois’ One Click College Admit (OCCA) initiative, which streamlines postsecondary access by providing direct admission into participating state public universities and community colleges based on high school GPA. The session will cover essential updates for supporting seniors, juniors, and community college transfer students, including a breakdown of how seniors interact with direct admission offers in the Common App.
The webinar is free, but advance registration is required. Professional Development and Continuing Education hours will be available. Visit bit.ly/3tDfRvV to learn more and to register.
#ProfessionalDevelopment #OneClickCollegeAdmit
ALT The image is a banner for the "One Click College Admit – Updates Webinar" with dates and times listed for October to December 2026. The event is hosted by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC).
We’re just over a week away from a great conversation at ISAC about young women’s mental health!
On October 13 at 10 a.m. in Deerfield, ISAC and the Family Action Network (FAN) welcome psychiatrist and author Suzanne Garfinkle-Crowell, MD, MSc, in conversation with Franciene Sabens, M.S.Ed., LPC, NCC discussing Dr. Garfinkle-Crowell’s new book, “Girlhood, Translated: Understanding Young Women in the Era of Therapy Speak and Self-Diagnosis.” Dr. Garfinkle-Crowell is a psychiatrist in private practice who treats children, adolescents, and adults. She is the founding director of the Academy for Medicine and the Humanities at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Sabens is a nationally recognized school counselor and author, two-time recipient of the Illinois High School Counselor of the year award.
This should be an especially timely conversation for educators, counselors, mental health professionals, parents, and anyone who works with adolescents and young adults.
📚 The event is FREE, and the first 100 registered attendees will receive a signed copy of the book. Learn more and register today: bit.ly/4i2dg5r
Feel free to share with anyone in your network who might be interested!
ALT Join us for "Girlhood, Translated: Understanding Young Women in the Age of Therapy Speak and Self-Diagnosis" author talk with Suzanne Garfinkle-Crowell, M.D., MSc. The event is presented by the Family Action Network (FAN) and the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC).
School Counselors & Administrators: Prepare for the 2027–28 financial aid cycle with this half-day training on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) and the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid offered by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC).
This training will cover important updates to the FAFSA form. Attendees will also learn about key state initiatives as well as federal changes that could impact students and families. By the end of the session, participants should have the knowledge and resources needed to guide students through the financial aid process.
The training session is free to attend, but advance registration is required. Registration will close on Monday, October 12, 2026, or when full capacity is reached. Attendees can earn Professional Development (PD) and Continuing Education (CE) credits. Learn more and register today: bit.ly/3tDfRvV
ALT Join us for our in-person training: "Overview of Financial Aid Applications & Program Updates" Tuesday, October 13, 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at Southwestern Illinois College, Information Science Building Hosted by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC)
School Counselors & Administrators: Prepare for the 2027–28 financial aid cycle with this half-day training on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) and the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid offered by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC).
This training will cover important updates to the FAFSA form. Attendees will also learn about key state initiatives as well as federal changes that could impact students and families. By the end of the session, participants should have the knowledge and resources needed to guide students through the financial aid process.
The training session is free to attend, but advance registration is required. Registration will close on Thursday, October 8, 2026, or when full capacity is reached. Attendees can earn Professional Development (PD) and Continuing Education (CE) credits. Find our more and register today: bit.ly/3tDfRvV
ALT Join us for our in-person training: "Overview of Financial Aid Applications & Program Updates." Friday, October 9, 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at the College of DuPage - Homeland Education Center Hosted by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC)
School Counselors & Administrators: Prepare for the 2027–28 financial aid cycle with this half-day training on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) and the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid offered by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC).
This training will cover important updates to the FAFSA form. Attendees will also learn about key state initiatives as well as federal changes that could impact students and families. By the end of the session, participants should have the knowledge and resources needed to guide students through the financial aid process.
The training session is free to attend, but advance registration is required. Registration will close on Monday, October 5, 2026, or when full capacity is reached. Attendees can earn Professional Development (PD) and Continuing Education (CE) credits. For more details and to register today, visit bit.ly/3tDfRvV
ALT Join us for our in-person training: "Overview of Financial Aid Applications & Program Updates" Tuesday, October 6, 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Prairie State College - Conference Center Hosted by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC)